June 10/12 17:01 pm - Hesjedal's First Giro Championship Jersey to be Auctioned Off

Posted by Editor on 06/10/12

Giro d’Italia champion and Canadian cycling hero Ryder Hesjedal will auction off the pink Giro jersey he first pulled on after he made cycling history and took the ‘maglia rosa’ during Stage 7 of this year's race. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to support up and coming cyclists in Canada, and to promote the sport of cycling throughout North America, through the Ryders Cycling Society of Canada (RCSC).

Hesjedal claimed cycling gold late last month in Italy, becoming the first Canadian to ever stand atop the podium and raise the Giro d’Italia trophy in the city of Milan. With this win and the huge swell of interest in cycling, Hesjedal has decided he wants to give back to the cycling world that has given him so much.

“It’s been an honour to do what I love to do and to be so supported by my family, friends, hometown and country,” said Hesjedal. “As I now begin to prepare for the Tour de France, I want to fuel that passion and interest in cycling - whether it’s recreationally or at the highest level of competition.”

The “first” pink ‘maglia rosa’ will be auctioned off on eBay beginning today and will close in ten days, just prior to the start of Ryder’s bid to go for the double at the Tour de France.

“Ryder’s pink jersey is a part of cycling history and now Canadian sports history,” Cody Graham, Director of Media One Multimedia and the Ryders Cycling Society of Canada and longtime friend of Hesjedal said. “and it’s only slight worn - although it is for the discerning buyer who doesn’t mind champagne stains on their maglia rosa. It’s one of a kind.”

In addition to the auction in support of the recently formed cycling society, the premier of Ryder Hesjedal’s ‘Champion’ video took place at the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) national conference, which used the social media clout of over 300 communicators and a live dashboard as they watched the video take off internationally.

The motivational video marks Ryder’s journey to the top of the cycling world was produced by local digital production studio Media One Multimedia Inc.

“With Ryder’s historic win, we have been inundated with requests for pink jerseys to commemorate his win,” said Graham. “And, with the Tour de Victoria only a few weeks away, we’re hoping to send a message of support to Ryder on the eve of the Tour de France by having a sea of pink riders all along the route.”

$5 from every purchase you make in store or at Wheelmen.ca will go directly to the Ryders Cycling Society of Canada, providing opportunities to excel in sport and inspire healthy lifestyles for all Canadians.

For more information on how you can take part in the pink wave to support Ryder as he takes the next step towards his goal of a win at the Tour de France, please visit www.wheelmen.ca.